(A) Whenever there is found any motor vehicle parked upon the streets or public grounds of the city which has received four or more parking tickets issued for a violation of any provision of Chapter 70 of this code which are delinquent, unpaid or otherwise unsettled and uncontested, the vehicle may, by towing or otherwise, upon approval of the Traffic Authority or its designee, be removed for safekeeping, by or under the direction of a police officer, traffic violations officer or other individual empowered by the Traffic Authority, to a garage or other location, or the vehicle may be immobilized in such a manner as to prevent its removal or operation except by persons as shall be authorized to do so by the Traffic Authority.
(B) It shall be the duty of any police or traffic violations officer removing or immobilizing a motor vehicle or under whose direction such a vehicle is removed or immobilized to inform as soon as practicable, within one business day, the owner of the removed or immobilized vehicle. The Traffic Authority shall give notice to the City Police Department before removing any vehicle. Furthermore, the Traffic Authority shall send notice of the removal or immobilization to the registered owner by certified mail, within one business day, of the action. The notice shall apprise the owner of the prior unsettled parking violations notices for which the vehicle was removed or immobilized. In any case involving immobilization of a vehicle pursuant to this section, there shall be placed on the vehicle, in a conspicuous manner, a notice warning that the vehicle has been immobilized and that any attempt to move the vehicle might result in damage thereto.
(C) Release of vehicle.
(1) Before the owner or duly authorized person shall be allowed to repossess or to secure the release of the vehicle, he shall pay the following:
(a) The cost of towing and/or booting fee, whichever applies;
(b) The cost of storage for each day or portion of a day that the vehicle is stored;
(c) All sums legally due for any city parking citations issued and outstanding against the vehicle; and
(d) A bond with a surety company, authorized to do business in the state, in an amount sufficient to cover the charges specified in divisions (C)(1)(a), (b) and (c) above.
(2) No such vehicle shall be released until the owner or a duly authorized person has established his identity and right to possession and has signed a proper receipt therefore.
(D) The owner or keeper of any garage or other place where the motor vehicle is stored shall have a lien upon the vehicle for the owner's or keeper's towing and/or storage charges. Any such vehicles which remain unclaimed may be disposed of pursuant to the provisions of Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-150, including by auction or sale.
(E) Any person who, after having had his vehicle towed or immobilized, removes the vehicle without complying with division (C) above shall, in addition to the charge provided for in division (C) above, be liable for any damage done to the immobilization device or mechanism and be subject to a fine as set forth in the schedule of fines, charges, penalties and rewards attached to the annual budget of the city, pursuant to § 41.11 of this code.
(F) Prior to scheduling any vehicle on a list for impoundment or immobilization, the Traffic Authority shall cause to be mailed to the registered owner a list of all delinquent charges and a statement warning that the vehicle shall be impounded or immobilized if found and giving notice of appeal rights pursuant to division (B) above. The notice shall be mailed no sooner than 15 days prior to the placement of any vehicle on a list for impoundment or immobilization.
(Ord. passed 5-24-2004; Ord. passed 8-19-2013)